The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are delighted to be working with the Football Association on the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Arts Programme, which will engage fans in a range of musical opportunities and public events celebrating the history, ethos and future of women’s football. See the various strands involved in the project below, and find out how you can get involved at home or at public events across host cities this summer.
An anthem to celebrate the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022
In March, a national callout invited fans to submit words, ideas and phrases to contribute to a new a new anthem celebrating the Women’s EURO 2022. Inspired by three prompts set by writer Hazel Gould, fans’ perspectives and lyrics have been woven together into a new anthem, 'Beautiful Game', by composer Shirley Thompson OBE and recorded by the full Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plus community singers from each host city. Music, lyrics and recordings of the Anthem are available under the ‘Resources’ section below. Listen to, learn and perform the Anthem in preparation for the Tournament!
Composer Shirley J. Thompson introduces the piece below.
Host City Anthems
Between February and May 2022, a total of 80 workshops in tournament host cities worked with local residents to create bespoke Anthem celebrating each local area and its women’s football heritage. Reaching more than 3,000 people across the ten host cities – with no prior musical experience required to take part – local composers and RPO musicians drew out ideas, lyrics and musical themes to create three minute Anthems for each city. Resources and recordings of each host city Anthem are now available open source under the Resources section below, for all fans wishing to learn, perform or use these celebratory songs.
Momentum: Concerto for Football and Orchestra Challenge
A brand new piece of music composed for the tournament by Shirley Thompson OBE will challenge football and music fans to perform a football solo line accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Test your football control by learning and performing a choreographed routine of football tricks that combines with the Orchestra to create the world’s first Concerto for Football and Orchestra. A demonstration video featuring the full RPO is available below and on our social media channels, inviting all those interested to try their hand at learning or choreographing their own Concerto performance. Get your friends or teammates together and film yourselves having a go!
Anthem Introduction Days
In June and early July, RPO musicians will visit each host city to introduce the Beautiful Game anthem and Local Anthems to residents. Public sessions in some host cities (see schedule below) will invite the public to learn and perform the Anthems alongside RPO musicians in anticipation of the tournament in July. No prior musical experience is required to take part, and all ages and abilities are welcome. Come and join in, and get ready for the Tournament to begin. All events are free, and no prior registration is required.
- Saturday 18 June, 10:30-13:30, Manchester Anthem Introduction Day, National Football Museum, Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG
- Sunday 26 June, 10:00-12:00, Southampton Anthem Introduction Day, Westquay Shopping Centre, Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1QF
- Saturday 2 July, 10:30-12:30, Sheffield Anthem Introduction Day, Sheffield Hallam University, Owen Building, Hallam Square, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2LX
- Saturday 23 July, 10:30-12:30, Brent Anthem Introduction Day, Silver Jubilee Park, Townsend Lane Kingsbury NW9 7NE
- Saturday 23 July, 14:00-16:00, Brent Anthem Introduction Day, Jason Roberts Foundation, The Pavilion, Stonebridge Recreation Ground, Hillside, Stonebridge, London, NW10 8LW
‘Sounds & Stadiums’: Music & Sport Panel Series
During the tournament, the RPO will deliver a series of panel events bringing together experts from music and sport backgrounds to explore the similarities and synthesis between the two sectors. From sports psychology to women’s history, each host city will host one live event exploring a unique topic, with events livestreamed and recorded for wider reach. The Panel series is being curated by Sound Voice. Topics will be announced in mid-June, so check back to choose your favourite event. All events are free, but ticketed.
Panel Event Dates
Watch the Sounds and Stadiums panel recordings
Fan Zone Performances
RPO musicians will return to each host city to perform at local Fan Zone events on a match day during the tournament run. Community performers will have the chance to take the stage with RPO musicians in interactive performances of the Beautiful Game anthem and Local Anthems, celebrating the brand new music composed by local people to celebrate the WEURO tournament. Come out and listen, learn and sing along to the Anthems performed by and for local people.
RPO Fan Zone Appearance Dates (check your local fan zone timings for event times)
- Wednesday 6 July, Trafford Fan Zone (Manchester United Stadium)
- Saturday 9 July, Inwood Park, Hounslow
- Monday 11 July, Brighton Fan Zone (Victoria Gardens)
- Thursday 14 July, Manchester Fan Zone (Piccadilly Gardens)
- Friday 15 July, Southampton Fan Zone (Bandstand at Palmerston Park)
- Sunday 17 July, Wigan Fan Zone (Civic Square, Leigh)
- Monday 18 July, Rotherham Fan Zone (All Saints’ Square)
- Tuesday 26 July, Sheffield Fan Zone (with Pop Up Performances earlier in the Winter Gardens and Peace Gardens)
- Wednesday 27 July, Milton Keynes Fan Zone (Station Square)
- Saturday 30 July, Wembley Park – Arena Square (Brent)
Resources
All resources are open source for non-commercial use.
All copyright remains with the project.
WEURO Lyric Writing Activities Resource
Download the WEURO Lyric Writing Activities Resource
An anthem to celebrate the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 - Beautiful Game
Download the anthem recordings: With vocal, reduced vocals and without vocals
Download the anthem score: Brass Band and Drum and Youth Orchestra
Download the anthem sheet music parts for Brass Band and Drum and for Youth Orchestra
Download the anthem Vocal Piano score
Brent
Download the Brent Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Instrumental and Piano
Download the Brent Anthem score: Full and Piano
Download the Brent Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Brent Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Brent Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Brent Anthem learning track (MP3)
Brighton
Listen to the Brighton anthem, 'Dare to Dream'
Download the Brighton Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Instrumental, Piano and Guitar
Download the Brighton Anthem score: Full, Piano and Guitar
Download the Brighton Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Brighton Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Brighton Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Brighton Anthem learning track (MP3)
Hounslow
Listen to the Hounslow anthem, 'Here to Rise'
Download the Hounslow Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Instrumental, Piano and Guitar
Download the Hounslow Anthem score: Full, Piano and Guitar
Download the Hounslow Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Hounslow Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Hounslow Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Hounslow Anthem learning track (MP3)
Manchester
Listen to the Manchester anthem, 'Raise the Game Up'
Download the Manchester Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Instrumental, Piano and Guitar
Download the Manchester Anthem score: Full, Piano and Guitar
Download the Manchester Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Manchester Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Manchester Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Manchester learning track (MP3)
Milton Keynes
Listen to the Milton Keynes anthem, 'Our Time is Now'
Download the Milton Keynes Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Instrumental and Piano
Download the Milton Keynes Anthem score: Full and Piano/Guitar
Download the Milton Keynes Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Milton Keynes Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Milton Keynes Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Milton Keynes learning track (MP3)
Rotherham
Listen to the Rotherham anthem, 'We Are One'
Download the Rotherham Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Brass, Piano, and Guitar
Download the Rotherham Anthem score: Full, Piano, and Guitar
Download the Rotherham Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Rotherham Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Rotherham Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Rotherham learning track (MP3)
Sheffield
Listen to the Sheffield anthem, 'Steel the Show'
Download the Sheffield Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Instrumental and Piano
Download the Sheffield Anthem score: Full and Piano/Guitar
Download the Sheffield Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Sheffield Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Sheffield Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Sheffield learning track (MP3)
Southampton
Listen to the Southampton anthem, 'Standing Proud'
Download the Southampton Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Instrumental, Piano and Guitar
Download the Southampton Anthem score: Full, Piano, and Guitar
Download the Southampton Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Southampton Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Southampton Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Southampton learning track (MP3)
Trafford
Listen to the Trafford anthem, 'People Together'
Download the Trafford Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Instrumental, Piano and Guitar
Download the Trafford Anthem score: Full, Piano, and Guitar
Download the Trafford Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Trafford Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Trafford Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Trafford learning track (MP3)
Wigan
Listen to the Wigan anthem, 'Something to Believe In'
Download the Wigan Anthem backing tracks (MP3s): Instrumental, Piano and Guitar
Download the Wigan Anthem score: Full, Piano, and Guitar
Download the Wigan Anthem sheet music parts
Download the Wigan Anthem Sibelius file
Download the Wigan Anthem lyrics
Listen to the Wigan learning track (MP3)
All resources are open source for non-commercial use.
All copyright remains with the project.
About this project
This project is funded using public funding from Arts Council England, with contributions from The Football Association and tournament Host Cities. The programme has been designed with Artistic Director Hannah Conway, with workshops and events delivered by musicians and leaders from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and host cities.